North Island Discovery

Day 2: Auckland - Helicopter Flight Seeing Tour
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, your guide will privately transfer you for a thrilling afternoon in the sky. Your helicopter departure from Helilink Downtown Auckland heliport at Mechanics Bay will fly you exclusively in comfort, safety and style in an executive style helicopter. You will enjoy a Scenic Flight of the inner harbor, towards the Harbor Bridge over Auckland City, Devonport, Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto and Waiheke Islands en route to Waiheke Island. Enjoy a 3 course meal for lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant and then you return to Auckland by helicopter. (B, L)

Day 3: Auckland - Free morning in Remuera, Afternoon wilderness experience
Today after a leisurely breakfast you have time to relax at your accommodations or enjoy the neighborhood of Remuera. Standing on Mt. Hobson looking down across Remuera, it's not hard to see why it has been an area so sought after. The views out over Auckland city and far out into the beautiful Hauraki Gulf with its dominating Rangitoto Island (Bleeding Skies) are panoramic and breathtaking. Today, Remuera has some of the finest shopping available. If you're looking for the best you'll find it here. In the afternoon you will enjoy a Wilderness Experience to the Waitakere Ranges on the West Coast of Auckland City. Travel west to the Arataki Centre, doorway to the Waitakere Ranges and from its sweeping decks take in the breathtaking panoramic views extending from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Absorb the area's history and admire the magnificent traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there. Continue further west with local knowledgeable and highly experienced guides to the wild and rugged West Coast where you get to experience the power of nature. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along one of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer. A short journey brings you to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy bush tracks amongst New Zealand's giant tree ferns and hear native birds. In the evening you will return to Auckland and your accommodations for the night. (B)

Day 4: Auckland to Bay of Islands - Auckland to Waipoua Forest to Bay of Islands
Enjoy one last delicious breakfast at your accommodations and then your private guide will transfer you north via the West Coast and Waipoua Forest to the Bay of Islands. Waipoua, and the adjoining forests of Mataraua and Waima, make up the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland. The drive on SH12 winds through magnificent stands of tall kauri, rimu and northern rata, and offers extensive views in a few places. Good walking trails give easy access to the most spectacular attractions of the forest: the giant trees Tane Mahuta, Te Matua Ngahere and Yakas. A little further along SH12 you will come to the Hokianga Harbor. Hokianga harbor remains a relatively untouched land of contrasts, from lush kauri forests, sun-burnt sand dunes and calm harbor waters to surf breaks on the sandbar and its own subtropical microclimate - a haven with a special beauty and spirit of its own. Continue to the Bay of Islands where your guide will drop you off at your lodge in Opua. (B)

Day 5: Bay of Islands - Cape Reinga Fly and Drive Excursion, Evening free
After breakfast begins an epic morning of stunning scenery and unforgettable adventures: Your guide will privately transfer you to enjoy a Cape Reinga Fly and Drive Excursion by helicopter for a total of 7 hours and includes a gourmet picnic lunch. Departing from central Paihia, you will fly for approximately 40 minutes via Northlands spectacular harbors, such as the Whangaroa Harbor and Rangaunu Harbor. You will also pass across some beautiful beaches such as Coopers Beach, Doubtless Bay and of course the famous Ninety-Mile Beach. Passengers are offered the option of making a stop on Ninety-Mile Beach to spend some time exploring the beach itself before proceeding to the landing area at Waitiki Landing, 20km from Cape Reinga. Once landed an exclusive vehicle will meet the helicopter to begin the ground tour. During the tour, a gourmet picnic lunch will be served at a sheltered and secluded spot recommended by your guide on the day. The tour will take you to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Tapotupotu Bay, then across to the Te Paki stream with its giant sand dunes. The opportunity to enjoy some exhilarating sand tobogganing is also available. The flight back to your departure point includes some of the most spectacular coastal scenery Northland has to offer. You will fly over the Parengarenga Harbor and Great Exhibition Bay, which are only visible by air or by sea. This area is very remote and without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand with it's pure white sand and crystal clear water. The flight also passes across the Houhora Harbor, the Cavalli islands, Kauri Cliff's golf course and the spectacular Bay of Islands. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Your driver/guide will be available for local transfers this evening and we recommend a tour to Kerikeri. Kerikeri has a rich history, and is widely known for its successful horticulture, niche food products, fabulous chocolates, boutique vineyards, art galleries, cafes and crafts. (B, L)

Day 6: Bay of Islands to Wellington - Transfer from Bay of Islands to Auckland, Flight to Wellington
Today after breakfast your guide will privately transfer you from Bay of Islands Lodge for your tour back to Auckland via the East Coast. You will proceed to the Domestic Airport for your flight to Wellington. Upon your arrival in Wellington you will be met at the Wellington Airport and then privately transferred to your accommodations. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 7: Wellington - Wellington Gourmet Food tour, Afternoon Matiu Somes Island Tour
Enjoy breakfast and then you will be privately transferred for a Gourmet Half Day Walking Wellington Food tour. This is for people with an appetite for culinary adventure and discovering new places through food and wine. You will explore this city that is known for its love of great coffee and food, finding culinary treasures visitors often miss. Connect with like-minded local food lovers, meet top Wellington restaurant and food professionals and uncover culinary treasures on this food tour. Experience coffee roasting, explore top specialty food stores, sampling as you go, and enjoy a light, three course tasting lunch with wines at a top Wellington restaurant or café. In the afternoon you will enjoy an exclusive Matiu Somes Island Tour exploring a tranquil island and wildlife sanctuary in the middle of Wellington's beautiful harbor. As the name suggests Matiu Somes Island has a rich Maori and European history, sometimes colorful and sometimes tragic. The lighthouse on the island today dates pre 1900, it continues to guide and welcome sea-borne travelers into the safety of Wellington Harbor. The island was fortified with heavy anti-aircraft gun emplacements on the summit of the island. Once a traditional pa site of Te Whanganui-a-Tara Maori, the island became a quarantine station, an internment camp, and a military defence position, it now seeks to protect and preserve New Zealand native flora and fauna. Somes is now home to rare native birds including North Island robins, fluttering shearwaters and kakariki, a colony of little blue penguins and to 6 species of native reptiles including the mysterious tuatara. Your guide will bring the history alive and help you find these shy wild creatures. (B, L)

Day 8: Wellington - Driving Tour, Free Day
After a leisurely breakfast you will enjoy a drving tour and the rest of the your day is free for whatever you desire. (B)

Day 9: Wellington - Return Flight Home
Depending on your flight time, you will have a leisurely morning at your accommodations. When it is time for your departure, you will be driven to the Wellington Airport for your return flight home. (B)